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NEWS ARCHIVE

Commitment 2014: Jefferson County Circuit Court Division 1

Jefferson County's Circuit Court is where many many of the most serious felony cases and civil lawsuits are tried. In Division 1, Judge Barry Willett is up for re-election, but challenger Stuart Pearlman says he needs to be replaced.

In Division 1, Judge Barry Willett is up for re-election, but challenger Stuart Pearlman says he needs to be replaced.

Remember the murder trials of Josh Young and Josh Gouker, the father and son who were tried for the murder of Trey Zwicker?

Willett presided over that case and says his experience with high-profile trials is an asset.

"CNN was here with a live feed. And it was the first trial that we had all the new courtroom presentation technology, so that was an added stressor to make sure we pressed all the right buttons to show the jury all the right evidence, with the CNN camera in our face the whole time," Willett said.

That high-profile case was just one of many Willett has heard since he was first elected in 2000.

But Pearlman says Willett takes too long to issue opinions and rulings, and points out he also has experience.